Najib house arrest rules being finalised, but the RM50 million fine is still unpaid

Najib Razak cannot go home yet. The Malaysian Prisons Department is in the final stage of drafting the rules and conditions for his house arrest, and Najib is still in Kajang Prison because the RM50 million fine has not been paid, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said on Sunday, 18 October 2026. Free Malaysia Today (FMT) and Malay Mail, citing Bernama, reported the remarks.

What the minister said

Saifuddin spoke to reporters in Felda Tenang, Jertih, after launching the National Anti-Drugs Agency's Madani Adopted Village and Madani Adopted School initiatives.

He said the department is acting on a letter from the Pardons Board secretariat that lets it set the conditions for carrying out house arrest. "Our country has never had (house arrest) before. In the letter from the Pardons Board secretariat to the Prisons Department, it is stated that the department can impose any conditions," he said. "So our task is to develop a set of regulations that are currently being worked on."

What has been decided

Last month, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, granted Najib a conditional pardon to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest until 23 August 2028, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine, FMT and Malay Mail reported.

Najib's lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, had said his client would serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence with his family at his residence in Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur, under a home detention order granted by the King.

What is still unclear

FMT and Malay Mail did not report what the house arrest conditions will be, when the regulations will be ready, or when the fine will be paid. Until the fine is settled, Saifuddin said, Najib stays in Kajang.

The fine has also become a flashpoint online. Universiti Malaya student Ummi Umairah Bakhit questioned the public's decision to donate money to help Najib pay the RM50 million, at a forum with Umno leaders. She received a backlash on social media, including threats. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil condemned the cyberbullying the same day and said she had broken no law. He urged victims to report to the police and the MCMC, and said the MCMC is investigating fake accounts targeting the King and Tuanku Muhriz. For background, read Tuanku Muhriz rebukes Negeri Sembilan MB.

What happens next

First, the Prisons Department's regulations have to be finished. Second, the RM50 million has to be paid. Once both are done, Najib can serve the rest of his SRC sentence at home. His 15-year 1MDB prison term is due to start in August 2028, and he can apply for a fresh stay at the Court of Appeal. The details are in Najib fails to stay 15-year jail term and RM11.38 billion fine in 1MDB case. For last week's roundup, see Malaysia news this week, Tuanku Muhriz's rebuke, Najib's failed 1MDB stay and haze closures.

Sources

• Free Malaysia Today, Prisons dept finalising regulations for house arrest, says home minister, 18 October 2026
• Malay Mail (Bernama), Saifuddin: Najib's house arrest conditions being finalised but RM50m fine yet to be settled, 18 October 2026
• Malay Mail (Bernama), Fahmi condemns cyberbullying of UM student Ummi after she questioned Najib fine donations, 18 October 2026